“She doesn’t want to be the center of attention for anything other than her golf.” That’s how Beth Ann Nichols on the 5 Clubs podcast on the Golf Channel summed up Nelly Korda, and honestly, it tracks. She’s the world No. 1, locked in on her game, and never one to chase headlines off the course. But the truth is, when you’re that good, you naturally carry some extra weight, like the kind of reach, influence, and fanbase that most players dream of tapping into. And yet, when it comes to promoting the LPGA beyond the fairways, she often stays in her lane. But for some, that is not enough.
That ask isn’t new, though. Last season, LPGA player Stacy Lewis subtly hinted that while the 25-year-old’s golf absolutely comes first, someone in her position could be doing more behind the scenes to help elevate the tour. She stated, “I think Nelly does have a responsibility. It’s saying yes. Continuing to play great golf, though, is number 1. That’s what helps our tour the most… She also, I would say, do as much extra stuff as you can for us.” What Lewis says does hold weight because the women’s circuit has been getting the short end of the stick when it comes to coverage and viewership.
Though Korda has not had the ideal season so far in terms of performance, she is yet to win a title. She has registered only 3 top 10 finishes in 7 starts on the Tour. But given the success that she has had in the previous season, her role is expected to expand greatly. The demand? Strike a balance between what will work well for the LPGA and her accomplishments. Now, with a new commissioner on board, Craig Kessler, announced just a week ago, that quiet nudge might turn into a louder expectation.
Naturally, fans are curious, and at the U.S. Women’s Open press conference, she finally broke her silence and shared where she stands. Speaking on the new commissioner, she said, “Yeah, I’ve briefly talked to Craig. I’m excited for the role that he’s going to play and for the future of the LPGA. I think he’s a great person from the interactions that I’ve had with him.” She sounds open and optimistic about his role and what’s ahead for the LPGA, and she’s also hopeful about Kessler’s leadership and the direction he might take the LPGA.
Korda also made sure to point out what really stood out to her: “He has so much energy, so much positivity that I think it’s going to be really good for the LPGA.” But she’s also taking her time to get a better feel for what’s ahead.
Craig Kessler is the 10th Commissioner in the LPGA’s history, who is taking over the reins from interim commissioner Liz Moore, effective July 15. He is a Georgetown graduate with an MBA from Harvard Business School, and interestingly, he was in the running to become the CEO after spending two years with the organization. But the only hurdle in his way was the organization wanting a PGA professional in the role, and they hired Derek Sprague. However, now with the LPGA, he aims to better capitalize on the growth in women’s sports and for people to pay attention and think “something incredible is happening to the LPGA and I have to part of it.”
Moving on, Korda made it clear that things were still in the early stages. “I think we’ll sit down and talk a few more times. I just met with him really briefly. But I think maybe at KPMG we’ll see each other.” Kessler comes in with a vision that involves four themes- building trust, being visible, building fans, and building a financial future that looks even better for the next 75 years. While that’s that, he has certain expectations to meet as well.
What did Nelly and other players expect from the new commissioner?
Back in December 2024, when Mollie Marcoux announced her resignation as LPGA commissioner, players shared what they hoped for in the new leadership. Nelly Korda made it clear what mattered most to her and said, “Obviously, someone that has had a lot of experience in this field. And someone that knows how to talk to people the right way to get attention and more investment into the game of golf.” Looking back, this fits well with her recent comments about Craig Kessler’s energy and positivity; she’s open but wants to see that experience make a real difference.
Another star player, Lydia Ko, also shared her take, saying, “So somebody that just really understands the complexities of it.” Her words show just how demanding the role is and how important it is for the new commissioner to get it right. And despite the stars like Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko putting up resurgent performances, the LPGA faces a number of financial struggles this year after reportedly losing close to $2 million in 2024. Beyond that, the Tour has several key executive positions to fill after Marcoux Samaan’s departure in January.
Reflecting on him taking charge, Kessler remarked, “This isn’t just about leading a sports organization. It’s about redefining what’s possible. This role is deeply personal to me, not just as a professional opportunity but as a chance to make a difference in the world and create new opportunities for others.”
So now, with Craig Kessler officially stepping in, the question on everyone’s mind is, can he live up to the big expectations these top players have? And most importantly, can Korda and Kessler be a good team?
The post Nelly Korda Shows True Colors After Being Told to Change Reclusive Nature and Help LPGA Tour appeared first on EssentiallySports.